Why l left the good old US of A

Hey Loong...kinda hard speaking about Thailand if you're in the police state of Virginia. I know, I was raised there. I left when I was 17 and never looked back, though I did continue to visit my mom and family.

As to why Thailand, simple...the woman I love lives here and did not enjoy her time in the US. Unlike some peoples thinking, not all Thai women are taken with the materialistic lifestyle of the west. I have traveled extensively, experienced the materialistic life, etc. etc. But I love my wife and the people of Thailand. They are warm, caring people on a whole, and very friendly if you accept the fact that it is their culture and their country, and act accordingly. I have met some very, very nice people here...many more in my short time here than I met in large cities in the USA in years.

Oh, add to that that the US is not the country I was raised to love, served as a Marine, and always believed had the right idea. It has devolved to a 'us vs. them' society, and it really does not matter who the 'us' is. When I was a kid, ALL Americans were to be at least listened to and their views respected. Now nobody listens if you are not one of 'my' herd, and it is perfectly ok to denigrate the President (who WAS elected by a majority after all) daily via email and/or other methods. That was enough in itself to make me decide that Thailand, with all it's faults, was still the better choice.

As for what one poster said re: cops sons, bad things...it was not too long ago that the countries you hail from had exactly the same issues, (and some, nay many, still do) which finally were worked through a bit...and in some eyes were overworked to the point of ridiculousness.

Thomas Jefferson once said "I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend." My biggest issue with the USA right now is that these words no longer hold meaning for many, many people.

KB

KB_Texas wrote:...

Oh, add to that that the US is not the country I was raised to love, served as a Marine, and always believed had the right idea. It has devolved to a 'us vs. them' society, and it really does not matter who the 'us' is. When I was a kid, ALL Americans were to be at least listened to and their views respected. Now nobody listens if you are not one of 'my' herd, and it is perfectly ok to denigrate the President (who WAS elected by a majority after all) daily via email and/or other methods. That was enough in itself to make me decide that Thailand, with all it's faults, was still the better choice.

As for what one poster said re: cops sons, bad things...it was not too long ago that the countries you hail from had exactly the same issues, (and some, nay many, still do) which finally were worked through a bit...and in some eyes were overworked to the point of ridiculousness.

Thomas Jefferson once said "I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend." My biggest issue with the USA right now is that these words no longer hold meaning for many, many people.

KB

Well said, KB.

There are good parts to every country and bad parts to every country.I know there are better places to live than Thailand,the same with the US.Before I retire i'm going to travel all over the world and see whatis the best place for me.
I will say this about Thailand.If ya have large amounts of money ya can get away with just about anything.

I once worked for a USN Commander who was a battalion commander in the USMC. I asked him after a few days why all the Sailors in his command look just like Marines. He being a New Englander asked me if I ever went Duck hunting. Told him yes, many times along the rivers and lakes in East Tennessee. He asked me how I dressed. Told him I tried to blend in so the Ducks would at least not be scared nor treat me with too much difference. Was I successful he asked. Yes, very I said. He then stated that he was doing the same thing. A squid working for a Jar Head General had best look the part, dance the dance, talk the talk, and learn how to say Ooraah with the best of Marines in order to survive and be accepted. Point here is that if you never interact, try to learn the culture, language, etc, you ain't going to like it and the locals around you are not going to go out of their way to invite you into their living rooms or help you if you are ever laying on the side of the road. We have several foreigners who live out here in the country who never get out of their houses except to go in to town to eat. My Thai is terrible, but everyone undersatands a smile and hello. So, home is where the heart is. So far, the only folks who treat me with contemp or try to rip me off have been other foreigners. Go figure!

"Hey Loong...kinda hard speaking about Thailand if you're in the police state of Virginia."

Well, I do feel somewhat qualified to speak about Thailand since my wife and kids were born there and we've been going back and forth for 40+ years. Not sure what who's qualified to speak about Thailand has to do with a music video.

I probably need to rephrase part of my original post,,,,,,, but then again,,,,, I think I'll let it stand on it's own. Most people will understand my points.

Loong Lee got it right. That song has been around for a least 7 years and is simply a spoof on county & western songs by Vince Gill and Rodney Crowell. Just a couple of guys poking fun at their own music, it was not a comment on American values. Vince and Rodney formed a group called The Notorious Cherry Bombs, made a couple of albums and then went back to their own careers as single acts in 2005. I've heard that song numerous times and never associated it with anything more than a good natured parody of married life.

Shado wrote:Loong Lee got it right. That song has been around for a least 7 years and is simply a spoof on county & western songs by Vince Gill and Rodney Crowell. Just a couple of guys poking fun at their own music, it was not a comment on American values. Vince and Rodney formed a group called The Notorious Cherry Bombs, made a couple of albums and then went back to their own careers as single acts in 2005. I've heard that song numerous times and never associated it with anything more than a good natured parody of married life.

Well my reply was based on the topic question as I couldn't play the video. Buffering all the time. Now having seen it I agree bears no relation to the topic .